Electives - As part of Magnolia’s focus to provide a balanced education, all 7th and 8th-grade students will also take either a year-long elective or 3-trimester long enrichment courses. Seventh-grade students not enrolled in a year-long elective will take the one trimester course Career & College Exploration.

7th & 8th Grade Electives - Elective choices may change based on the skills of the Magnolia Staff.

Academic Workshop - 7th/8th Grade - Trimester, 6th Grade - 6 Weeks

Students may be removed from their elective class, including year long courses, and placed in an Academic Workshop if they are not achieving at a satisfactory level in their core classes - English, Social Studies, Mathematics, and Science. Students/parents may also request an academic workshop placement.

902 Bella Voce/Rattlers Choir - All Grades - Year

This course may be taken 1, 2, or 3 trimesters during a year. You must enroll in a minimum of two (2) trimesters and be enrolled during the 3rd trimester to participate in the choir and band competitions & trips. Bella Voce means “beautiful voice”, and we are the VOICE of the RATTLERS! This group made up of 6th, 7th and 8th-grade singers is for everyone who wants to sing! We have one concert each trimester and competitive festival participation during the third trimester.

901 Green Band - All Grades - Year

Green Band is made up of 6th and 7th graders that are on their first or second year of their instrument. They meet every day during the regular school day. Emphasis is on improving and expanding their skills through scales, chorales, exercises and repertoire. They present three to four concerts and attend 2-3 festivals. The local music store has an excellent rental program and all the necessary books, accessories and materials. Green Band uses Standard of Excellence Book 1.

903 Gold Band - Grades: 7&8 - Year - Prerequisite: Teacher Consent

Gold Band is made up of 7th and 8th graders that are on their third or fourth year of their instrument. They meet every day during the regular school day. Emphasis is on improving and expanding their skills through scales, chorales, exercises and repertoire. They present three to four concerts and attend 2-3 festivals. The local music store has an excellent rental program and all the necessary books, accessories and materials. Gold Band uses Standard of Excellence Book 2 and 3.

Jazz Band is made up of 6-8th graders that audition for positions in The Rattler Jazz Band. Participation in one of the other band ensembles is required. They meet Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at 8:00 am. Emphasis is on jazz scales, style, and improvisation. Music will include jazz standards along with rock, funk and Latin styles. They present four concerts, an elementary school tour and attend 1-2 festivals. The local music store has an excellent rental program and all the necessary books, accessories and materials. Jazz Band uses Standard of Excellence Jazz Ensemble Method.

Starmakers is a choir that also dances, known as a Show Choir. This auditioned, an award-winning group of 7th and 8th-grade students is a mixed choir of 30-32 members, singing in three to four parts. These polished performers study traditional choral music as well as pop styles and present a variety of genres within the “show pop” styles. Students also learn basic dance skills, often including ballroom and swing dance etiquette and forms; contemporary and jazz; and basic skills for balance, strength, and coordination. Teamwork and self-management are critical performance tools that are acquired here, as students develop the trust and skills necessary to perform at the highest ensemble level. This choir requires participation all three trimesters, along with numerous performances and competitions outside of the regular school day.

Drama is a year-long elective open to 7th & 8th graders by audition. The goals/emphasis are on developing public speaking and performance skills, working collaboratively with others, managing time and the freedom that comes from artistic endeavors, a sense of responsibility to themselves and to others that are affected by their efforts, as well as personal accountability. Students must maintain a minimum of a 2.0 GPA to remain in this class. Trimester one: a history of the theater, acting techniques, acting games, short performance pieces, & film studies. Trimester two: mounting a full-scale stage production with script writing/revision, acting, backstage management & set design opportunities. Trimester three: collaborate with a small group to write, film, and edit a short movie to completion.

916 Yearbook - Grades: 7&8 - Trimester

Students produce a digitally designed yearbook, from concept through completion. This project-based class engages students with hands-on learning in photography, graphic design, interviewing students and staff, and headline/copywriting. The yearbook staff records campus activities, edits and archives photographs, writes copy and promotes the yearbook to peers. Print and video editions of the yearbook are produced. Students are taught ethical journalistic coverage, how to prioritize assignments, problem-solving strategies, and to meet real-world project deadlines.

932 Yearbook/Graphic Arts - Trimester 3 - 7th & 8th Grade

Students will complete the yearbook during the first portion of this course. They may also participate in the sale and distribution of the school yearbook.In this course the principles of design will be reinforced in printed materials that combine art, photography, and writing. Students will explore graphic communications by designing logos, advertisements, web pages, and other related materials used in marketing and industry. Students will use tools such as digital cameras, Adobe PhotoShop, Microsoft Office, and other technology to create projects that reflect real-world applications.For example, students will create their own business concept and design a logo, business card, package design, and brochure to market their enterprise. Students will contribute to the culture of the Magnolia campus by providing well-designed posters for real school promotions. They will be asked to submit a t-shirt design that may be produced and sold as part of a school spirit campaign.

914 Elements of Art - Grades: 7&8 - Trimester

Students in this course are guided through specific elements of art: color, shape, space, texture, form, and line. Each element is explained and practiced in separate assignments. For example, the initial project is a creative color wheel where students are introduced to the vocabulary of color, and practice mixing colors.

Students also use linear and atmospheric perspective in a classroom project, and also work in the computer lab on a 3-D modeling program. a 3-dimensional project using clay, paper maché, or both, is also assigned during the trimester. Later in the course, students conduct research on an artist and learn about art movements throughout history and learn how art reflects culture. They create a slide presentation and come back into the art studio for an homage project to their chosen artist.

926 Art & Design - Grades: 7&8 - Trimester

Students in this course focus on the Principles of Design and learn how to create art that is useful in everyday life. Students learn design skills through art studio and computer lab assignments. A vocabulary using design principles such as balance, movement, unity, emphasis, rhythm, variety, and contrast is developed. Students are asked to reflect upon how their artistic choices contribute to the quality of art. Students design a work of art for public display, usually the school library or district office building. Students may work in PhotoShop, using their own photography, to create a piece of digital art. Students research art movements and create a diorama of an interior room reflecting their personal style in relation to an art piece. Students further explore printmaking through basic relief printing or linoleum prints, as time permits. Art media explored includes watercolor, acrylic, pencil, found materials, and clay.

927 Ceramics: Grades: 7&8 - Trimester

This course is offered to both 7th and 8th grade students as an elective. In ceramics, students work with clay to create sculptures, pottery, jewelry, and other ceramic art. An on-site kiln is used to create permanent glazed ceramic pieces. Students employ both the elements of art and the principles of design in their projects. Students become skilled in basic clay manipulation. Students are also asked to design an expressive figurative sculpture.

915 Computer Technology - Grades: 7&8 - Trimester

This course teaches students how to create images, documents, and spreadsheets with Google Docs and Adobe Photoshop. Internet search skills will be taught in depth. Keyboarding at 30 WPM will be required. (Student will be able to test out.)

913 Spanish - Grades: 7&8 - Trimester

Bienvenidos a la clase de espanol! In this course students will be introduced to a variety of topics to expand their active speaking, listening reading and writing vocabulary. An emphasis will be placed on oral communication skills. The goal is that students build confidence in their ability to communicate in both spoken and written form. Students will use a textbook, Introductory Spanish, as well as online resources.

790 Education/Career Exploration - Grades: 7&8 - Trimester

This class is a trimester-long, computer-based course, designed to help students to begin planning for their future careers. Students learn how to match their own goals, interests, and abilities with the ideal career. The course covers future planning, personal discovery, personal finance and budgeting, in-depth career exploration, workplace skills and expectations, decision-making, higher education, and job seeking skills.

917 Beginning Woodworking - Grades: 7&8 - Trimester

This course is designed to concentrate on all basic wood construction methods. Students will first learn how to safely operate all woodworking equipment and safely operate in a professional woodworking environment. The woodworking equipment includes all types of hand and power tools used to shape wood, which range from handsaws, hand and power drills, scroll and band saws, the lathe, etc. Students will learn the various ways objects of wood are formed. Students will use an assortment of woodworking tools to craft parts for their projects and be able to understand visually and physically how projects are assembled and created. This class will introduce students to several types of wood and their unique characteristics. Projects in this class will be made from Pine, Alder, Oak, Maple, Cherry, and Walnut. Students will also study finishing methods including Lacquer, Polyurethane, Boiled Linseed Oil, Oil Stains, and Bees Wax.Course Goals: Students will:1) Learn proper shop attire and behavior.2) Learn safe operating procedures of all woodworking tools.3) Learn board squaring.4) Learn measuring methods.5) Practice wood burning.6) Learn and practice finishing.7) Learn the ethics and responsibilities of a professional craftsman.

This course is designed to concentrate on advanced woodworking design and construction methods. Students will review how to safely operate all woodworking equipment and safely operate in a professional woodworking environment. The woodworking equipment includes many types of hand and power tools used to shape wood, which ranges from handsaws, hand and power drills, scroll and band saws, chop saw, router, lathe, and radial arm saw. Students will continue with their basic knowledge of wood from Beginning Woodworking, and use and enhance those skills to create two advanced projects. Those projects may range from the use of the lathe, which students can make turned bowls, jewelry boxes, baseball bats, etc., to advanced use of the scroll saw with the creation and individual design of a slit drum musical bongo box. Also, there will be individualized use of the router in creating handheld mirrors.Course Goals: Students will:1) Learn proper shop attire and behavior.2) Learn safe operating procedures of all power woodworking tools.3) Practice wood burning.4) Construct projects of various wood types.5) Learn and practice finishing with lacquer sprays.6) Learn the ethics and responsibilities of a professional craftsman.

930 Coding/Robotics - Grades: 7&8 - Trimester

The Coding and Robotics class offers a hands-on opportunity to build and program a robot using the Parallax Boe-Bot system. Students will build and program the Boe-Bot to perform basic tasks and higher level challenges that introduce basic engineering, electronics, and computer programming. There is no previous experience needed, just the desire to learn and the willingness to work with a partner to achieve mutual goals in coding and robotics. Students will develop new skills in science, technology, engineering, and math.

931 Engineer, Build & Code - Grades: 7&8 - Trimester

The Engineer, Build & Code class challenges students to think outside of the box as they work with Lego Mindstorms. The goal is to engineer, build, and code their robots to complete challenges and compete in a countywide robotics competition. Knowledge of coding and basic engineering are reccommended for this challenging, yet inspiring class.

This course may be taken 1 trimester as a 7th grader and 2 trimesters as an 8th grader. Students assigned to the technology lab as tech aides work with students and teachers in the lab helping them to integrate the daily curriculum with technology. They act as assistants to the computer lab staff. Grades are earned based on the student’s ability to follow instructions, be helpful and perform assigned tasks. They also do some videoing at our K-8 Schools & Bear River High School Performances, digital editing with specific software, take pictures when needed and perform basic technology tasks for teachers.

All Aide positions require consent and are graded pass/no pass. A student may only take one trimester of any of the following Aide positions:

Students learn filing, copying and tutoring skills. Students work under the supervision of a classroom teacher or instructional aide. Credit is earned based on the student’s ability to follow instructions, perform assigned tasks, and maintain a minimum attendance rate of 95%. Graded P/NP

Students learn cataloging, research and customer service skills. Credit is earned based on the student’s ability to follow directions, perform assigned tasks, and maintain a minimum attendance rate of 95%. Graded P/NP

Students learn basic filing, sorting, and telephone procedures. Importance is placed on receiving and giving messages courteously and accurately. Credit is earned based on a student’s ability to follow instructions, perform assigned tasks, and maintain a minimum attendance rate of 95%. Graded P/NP

Help monitor students during a long walk/run. Student aides will not be required to dress in their P.E. uniform during their aide time. Credit is earned based on a student’s ability to follow instructions, perform assigned tasks, and maintain a minimum attendance rate of 95%. Graded P/NP

Woodworking aides will be responsible for organizing the shop, know the proper use /location of all tools, hand, and power, be able to give demonstrations on the methods of various power tools and be in charge of a clean-up crew at the end of each period. Students must also have a desire to learn leadership skills and be willing to lead by example by helping their classmates when they need assistance. Credit is earned based on a student’s ability to follow instructions, perform assigned tasks, and maintain a minimum attendance rate of 95%. Graded P/NP

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